Shí naashá

"Shí naashá"
"Shí naashá"
Song
Language	Navajo
Written	1868

Shí naashá (I am going/walking around^[1]) is a Navajo song, composed in 1868 to commemorate the release of the Navajo from internment at Fort Sumner.^[2] The song's lyrics express the elation of the Navajo people on the occasion of their return to their homeland. Unlike most other Navajo songs, "Shí naashá" is almost entirely translatable - there are few words that can not be replaced with an English word of the same meaning. Most Navajo songs are untranslatable. The word hózhǫ́ (beauty), a major concept in Navajo spirituality, is used throughout the song. ^[3]

Lyrics[]

Ahala ahalago naashá ghą
Shí naashá ghą, shí naashá ghą,
Shí naashá lágo hózhǫ’ la.
Shí naashá ghą, shí naashá ghą,
Shí naashá, ladee hózhǫ’ǫ’ lá.

I am going in freedom
I am going, I am going,
I am going in beauty.
I am going, I am going,
I am going, beauty is all around me.

References[]

Koskoff, Ellen, ed. (2000). Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, Volume 3: The United States and Canada. Garland Publishing. ISBN 0-8240-4944-6.

Notes[]

^ Languages of the World
^ Heth, Charlotte. "Overview". The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. pp. 366–373.
^ "Navajo Songs from the Cayon De Chelly liner notes" (PDF). New World Records. New World Records. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-12.

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[1] Languages of the World

[2] Heth, Charlotte. "Overview". The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. pp. 366–373.

[3] "Navajo Songs from the Cayon De Chelly liner notes" (PDF). New World Records. New World Records. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-12.

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